The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is set to launch an eviction drive along the River Turag from next month, an official said.
"We are making preparations for carrying out eviction drives against illegal encroachment on the banks of the River Turag," joint director (river port) of BIWTA AKM Arif Uddin told the FE on Sunday.
He said they will hold a meeting this week to discuss the issue relating to the upcoming eviction drives.
"If we get police personnel and other logistics support as per our requirements, we will go for eviction on March 05."
The drive will start from Basila area in the city, he said, adding that it (drive) will gradually move towards Tongi, Gazipur.
Asked about the eviction drives conducted along the River Buriganga, Mr Arif said they will also re-launch eviction drive against encroachment of the river.
He, however, said the date for the eviction drive will be fixed soon.
Earlier, the authorities concerned had completed the eviction drives against illegal structures built along the Buriganga River.
BIWTA demolished a total of 49 illegal structures on both sides of the river at Basila area on February 20.
The demolished illegal structures included three two-storey buildings, nine single-storey buildings, five semi-pucca buildings, two tin-roofed makeshift houses and 30 boundary walls of Amin-Momin Housing Company.
Besides, a total of 11 acres of land on the river banks were reclaimed during the fourth phase of the drive.
BIWTA, which is under the Ministry of Shipping, had carried out eviction drives in four phases.
The first phase took place from January 29-31, the second phase from February 6-8, the third phase from February 12-14 and the fourth phase began on February 18.
Earlier, a total of 159 illegal structures were bulldozed on February 18 and 19 on both the sides of Basila Bridge along the river.
Illegal structures demolished included a four-storey building, eight three-storey buildings, 11 two-storey buildings, 42 one-storey buildings, 33 semi-pucca buildings and 25 makeshift houses.
On February 14, a total of 59 illegal structures were demolished along the banks of the River Buriganga.
Illegal structures included a four-storey building, two three-storey buildings, eight two-storey buildings, a one-storey building, 25 semi-pucca buildings and 20 makeshift houses.
The third phase of the eviction drive concluded on February 14.
In two phases, a total of 1,199 illegal structures were demolished and 10 acres of land on the river banks were reclaimed.
In the third phase of the eviction drive, a total of 301 structures were pulled down from Balurghat at Shaheed Nagar to Betarighat at Kamrangirchar and Basila area.
BIWTA demolished a total of 124 illegal structures on February 13 while 118 on February 12.
BIWTA has a plan to build 19 jetties in different areas including Amin Bazar, Gabtoli, Kanchpur, Tanbazar, Machuwa Bazar, and Khanpur.
The authority will also build about 50-km walkway, plant saplings along the walkway and set up three eco-parks at Shinnirtek, Tongi and Ashulia under a project.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com